The Leafs weren’t just my first hockey love. They were basically my first human memory.

That’s how John Tavares describes Doug Gilmour’s wraparound overtime goal against the St. Louis Blues during the Maple Leafs magical playoff run in the 1992-93 season in a letter thanking New York Islanders fans and explaining his decision to play for Toronto.

“I’ll never forget it: May 3rd, 1993,” wrote Tavares, who wasn’t even 3 years old at the time but could still recall Bob Cole’s play-by-play of the goal.